“Where do you see yourself five years in the future?” I was asked this question a million times my senior year of high school. This is easily the most infuriating question I believe any young person receives in their lives. We can’t see the future and as young adults, we’re still indecisive. But, those five years have come and I’m nowhere near what I thought I’d be doing. I’m where I am because the Experience360 Program got me here.

“The only source of knowledge is experience”. – Albert Einstein. This phrase makes sure that you understand the E360 program is no joke. The E360 program afforded me the opportunity to experience the workplace environment that I would never imagine I’d be involved in during my college years. From day one at Delaware Valley University, I was terrified that I would not achieve a good workplace experience because I was a college student. But it is because of that fear that it turned out to be one of the best experiences I have had not only a student, but as a person.

I am a Public History major who is currently interning as a tour guide at a museum. I’ve previously done years of contracting and custodial work, as well as worked at a movie theater and beer distributor. All of that has led me to a field in which I am now the teacher in my environment. I’ve been a tour guide for almost a year now and the doors it has opened for me are incredible.

Before I discuss what doors have been opened, I would like to discuss how these doors opened. The whole point of this program is to get you involved and experienced in the workplace environment. Well, the colleagues I have met while working at this place, as well as the customers/visitors have made it more worthwhile. People that have attended my museums and heard my lectures include teachers, professors, tour guides, documentary professionals, and more. With all of these educators in my workplace, I received more knowledge and expertise than originally advertised.

These experiences have afforded me job opportunities, relationships with other professionals in my field, as well as tips and pointers on how to better myself. E360 isn’t just something you have to complete for graduation. It’s something that will help you answer that question, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” It affords you the opportunity to experience a field you may or may not have interest in. Once you have that experience, other windows of opportunity may arise and now you’re ready to jump into the next experience.

Written by: Raymond Pacheco Jr.